Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09COTONOU581
2009-12-07 13:10:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Cotonou
Cable title:
BENIN: AMBASSADOR MEETS WORLD BANK RESREP
how-toVZCZCXRO9541 PP RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHCO #0581 3411310 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 071310Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1212 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS COTONOU 000581
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR AF/W ASHLEY STEWART
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN EAID BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: AMBASSADOR MEETS WORLD BANK RESREP
UNCLAS COTONOU 000581
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR AF/W ASHLEY STEWART
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN EAID BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: AMBASSADOR MEETS WORLD BANK RESREP
1. (U) Ambassador Knight met with the outgoing World Bank Resident
Representative (ResRep) Joseph Baah-Dwomoh on November 10.
Baah-Dwomoh shared his impressions as he prepares to leave Cotonou
after three years. Baah-Dwomoh is currently responsible for Benin
and Togo, but he said that there would be two separate successors
named. He plans to return to DC in mid-December and move on to
retirement. He previously served with World Bank staff in Benin in
1984.
2. (U) The World Bank has suspended budget support which represents
a quarter of their funding in Benin. The GOB needs to outline
measures to bring realistic expectations to the budget. The budget
has suffered from a decline in receipts exacerbated by a decline in
GDP growth. Combined with unbudgeted increases in salaries and
allowances, there is currently a 400 billion CFA (USD 90 million)
funding gap in the budget. The Minister of Finance is applying
pressure to fund the budget gap and Baah-Dwomoh predicts he will get
support, "we always give in".
3. (SBU) Baah-Dwomoh noted that work with two particular Ministries
was problematic. The Ministry of Health is disorganized and lacks
continuity. There have been four ministers in three years and none
has had time to accomplish much. He also criticized the Minister of
Primary Education. The advent of free primary education was not
smooth, in large part due to insufficient personnel to teach the
increased number of students. Both ministries are also saddled with
strong unions that react negatively to any proposed reforms and
demonstrate regularly for increased compensation.
4. (SBU) Baah-Dwomoh shared his observations of the political
climate since the 2006 elections. He described the President as
impatient and frightened of the opposition. His coalition has
disintegrated and his strongest minister, Minister of State Pascal
Irene Koupaki of the Ministry of Development and Planning, has been
undermined by other ministers who benefit from continuing corrupt
practices.
KNIGHT
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR AF/W ASHLEY STEWART
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN EAID BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: AMBASSADOR MEETS WORLD BANK RESREP
1. (U) Ambassador Knight met with the outgoing World Bank Resident
Representative (ResRep) Joseph Baah-Dwomoh on November 10.
Baah-Dwomoh shared his impressions as he prepares to leave Cotonou
after three years. Baah-Dwomoh is currently responsible for Benin
and Togo, but he said that there would be two separate successors
named. He plans to return to DC in mid-December and move on to
retirement. He previously served with World Bank staff in Benin in
1984.
2. (U) The World Bank has suspended budget support which represents
a quarter of their funding in Benin. The GOB needs to outline
measures to bring realistic expectations to the budget. The budget
has suffered from a decline in receipts exacerbated by a decline in
GDP growth. Combined with unbudgeted increases in salaries and
allowances, there is currently a 400 billion CFA (USD 90 million)
funding gap in the budget. The Minister of Finance is applying
pressure to fund the budget gap and Baah-Dwomoh predicts he will get
support, "we always give in".
3. (SBU) Baah-Dwomoh noted that work with two particular Ministries
was problematic. The Ministry of Health is disorganized and lacks
continuity. There have been four ministers in three years and none
has had time to accomplish much. He also criticized the Minister of
Primary Education. The advent of free primary education was not
smooth, in large part due to insufficient personnel to teach the
increased number of students. Both ministries are also saddled with
strong unions that react negatively to any proposed reforms and
demonstrate regularly for increased compensation.
4. (SBU) Baah-Dwomoh shared his observations of the political
climate since the 2006 elections. He described the President as
impatient and frightened of the opposition. His coalition has
disintegrated and his strongest minister, Minister of State Pascal
Irene Koupaki of the Ministry of Development and Planning, has been
undermined by other ministers who benefit from continuing corrupt
practices.
KNIGHT